Where to get a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

[whughes3]

I’ve had great experience with Histopath at MEL airport for PCR tests. I’ve used them three times since December. I always just go for a PCR cos everywhere that is okay with a supervised RAT is also ok with a PCR and saves any headaches.

Recently travelled to Thailand in mid-March, pre-registered and paid online with Histopath. $79. Arrived at the airport, did the PCR, got my results via SMS in 26 minutes. They send a PDF via email and will also print the results out for you free of charge.

Their site says they also do rapid antigen / lateral flow tests for $59 with results in 30 minutes but have not tried this.

Totally agree...used them yesterday, very quick and trouble-free; they promise results in 90 mins but mine came through via text/email in barely 30 mins. Who needs RATs...

 

[Virgin Bart]

Totally agree...used them yesterday, very quick and trouble-free; they promise results in 90 mins but mine came through via text/email in barely 30 mins. Who needs RATs...

RATs are more likely to be negative. Give me a RAT when possible any day.

 

[SydneySwan]

RATs are more likely to be negative. Give me a RAT when possible any day.

Indeed. When one is required to get a pre-travel Covid test, what one really wants is a certificate with a negative result.

I remember when I was travelling around Africa in 1979 one of my vaccination certificates had expired (not sure which one but probably cholera) and I needed to get the vaccine again to facilitate border crossings. I was in Kenya and went to a clinic to get this. I paid the money and then queued for my vaccine. The nurse diligently competed the certificate and stamped it and explained nicely that they had run out of vaccines and were expecting a delivery in a few weeks and if wanted to I could come come back then and get the vaccine.

 

[Paul Mc]

Hi all. We just successfully used a remote supervision company based in Australia via Zoom (rapidantigensupervision.com.au) for our return flight back to Australia from the USA. All went very well, they were very professional and they ensure you have received your test result paperwork before ending the Zoom session. It saved us a LOT of money and time compared to local (we were based outside of New Orleans) and it was great to have the test results before getting to the airport. No problems at all at New Orleans airport with American Airlines check-in staff and they checked us all the way to SYD with our transit at DFW.
Hope this helps others.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all. We just successfully used a remote supervision company based in Australia via Zoom (rapidantigensupervision.com.au) for our return flight back to Australia from the USA. All went very well, they were very professional and they ensure you have received your test result paperwork before ending the Zoom session. It saved us a LOT of money and time compared to local (we were based outside of New Orleans) and it was great to have the test results before getting to the airport. No problems at all at New Orleans airport with American Airlines check-in staff and they checked us all the way to SYD with our transit at DFW.
Hope this helps others.

So you can have/use your own RAT? Or does it have to be one from their approved list?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

So you can have/use your own RAT? Or does it have to be one from their approved list?

From their website…

The service does not supply rapid antigen test kits. Clients need to source a TGA approved rapid antigen test kit for their appointment.​

 

[Paul Mc]

So you can have/use your own RAT? Or does it have to be one from their approved list?

Hi. I took some TGA approved RA test kits with us to the USA, and used those kits for the test.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi. I took some TGA approved RA test kits with us to the USA, and used those kits for the test.

Ah, ok. Makes sense.

 

[aaa99]

The redacted form from today - Negative .
So this trip is going ahead.

Actually got charged only $22 each ($14 for the service and $8 for the kit) as the cost of kits have dropped since last week.

Note : The service is only offerred on weekdays between 10-4 at select locations

 

[Virgin Bart]

The redacted form from today - Negative .
So this trip is going ahead.

Actually got charged only $22 each ($14 for the service and $8 for the kit) as the cost of kits have dropped since last week.

Note : The service is only offerred on weekdays between 10-4 at select locations
View attachment 273902

Thanks a lot for that. Unsuitable for SIN due to the "supervised" word

 

[Thibault]

The redacted form from today - Negative .
So this trip is going ahead.

Actually got charged only $22 each ($14 for the service and $8 for the kit) as the cost of kits have dropped since last week.

Note : The service is only offerred on weekdays between 10-4 at select locations
View attachment 273902

I believe this RAT test result is acceptable for the US - am I correct ?

 

[Tiki]

The redacted form from today - Negative .
So this trip is going ahead.

Actually got charged only $22 each ($14 for the service and $8 for the kit) as the cost of kits have dropped since last week.

Note : The service is only offerred on weekdays between 10-4 at select locations
View attachment 273902

If this gets us on the flight to Fiji, I'm in! Cheaper and more convenient than Histopath. Our flight is early morning so would have to do it the day before.

 

[aaa99]

Thanks a lot for that. Unsuitable for SIN due to the "supervised" word

Thank you so much for replying. After reading your comment twice, I realized I am also flying to Singapore and need an official to perform the ART/RAT. Mad dash to the airport to get it done today just so I dnt have to worry about it later.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Thank you so much for replying. After reading your comment twice, I realized I am also flying to Singapore and need an official to perform the ART/RAT. Mad dash to the airport to get it done today just so I dnt have to worry about it later.

Wow that's some luck! At least you don't need to stress about the result!

 

[aaa99]

Myt just show the supervised result at the airport first to see if they even notice.

 

[larrymull]

Myt just show the supervised result at the airport first to see if they even notice.

Did they?

 

[aaa99]

Did they?

Funnily enough we tried, they didnt
No questions asked, just a brief glance.

More than the money, I could saved 2 hours traveling to the airport

But it is risky. Each checkin agent might be different.

 

[ketsuzei]

But it is risky. Each checkin agent might be different.

Subtly, every checkin agent is different.

 

[Townsend]

RATs are more likely to be negative. Give me a RAT when possible any day.

We were in London last month. We’re feeling a little seedy so we did RATs that came back positive. Had to have PCRs for our insurance and they came back negative. Repeated both tests the next day, including a ‘fit to fly’ with the same results i.e. positive RATs and negative PCRs. Tested positive on a PCR the day we arrived in Sydney.

Apparently this was happening a lot in Southern England.

 

[N860CR]

We were in London last month. We’re feeling a little seedy so we did RATs that came back positive. Had to have PCRs for our insurance and they came back negative. Repeated both tests the next day, including a ‘fit to fly’ with the same results i.e. positive RATs and negative PCRs. Tested positive on a PCR the day we arrived in Sydney.

Apparently this was happening a lot in Southern England.

That was my experience as well. Numerous positive RATs but a negative PCR in the middle. Not even going to bother with another PCR now and just do a RAT at the airport. Last few RATs have been clear so I can’t see it becoming positive again.

Oddly, travel companion had the opposite. RATs ok but then a positive PCR 3 days before. Retest was negative… but it all seems like a lot of theatre given there doesn’t seem to be a global standard. Fortunately, not long left and it’ll be a thing of the past